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MASSIVE REDEPLOYMENT OF TOP OFFICERS ROCKS NIGERIAN ARMY
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has approved the redeployment of top officers in the Nigerian Army. This was disclosed by the Director of Army Public Relations, Major-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.
According to Nwachukwu, the redeployment is a strategic move to enhance the operational effectiveness and administrative efficiency of the army. The affected officers include Corps Commanders, Principal Officers, General Officers Commanding (GOC), Commanders, Commandants of Army Training institutions, Brigade Commanders, and other key positions.
Nwachukwu stated that the redeployment underscores the army’s commitment to a robust and dynamic leadership structure capable of addressing emerging security challenges in the country.
Some of the senior officers appointed as Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) at the Army Headquarters include Maj.-Gen. Lawrence Fejokwu, who was appointed Chief of Administration (Army); Maj.-Gen. GU Chibuisi, appointed Chief of Civil Military Affairs; and Maj.-Gen. AS Ndalolo, appointed Chief of Training (Army).
Others include Maj.-Gen. Olusegun Abai, appointed Chief of Transformation and Innovation; Maj.-Gen. JH Abdussalam, appointed Chief of Special Services and Programmes; and Maj.-Gen. EI Okoro, appointed Military Secretary (Army).
Additionally, Maj.-Gen. OT Olatoye was appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division/Joint Task Force (JTF) South-East Operation UDO KA, while Maj.-Gen. EF Oyinlola was appointed GOC 3 Division/Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH).
Maj.-Gen. AGL Haruna was confirmed as GOC 7 Division/Commander Sector 1 JTF North-East Operation HADIN KAI, and Maj.-Gen. IA Ajose was appointed substantive GOC 8 Division/Commander Sector 2 JTF North-West Operation FANSAN YANMA.
Other redeployments include Maj.-Gen. GO Adeshina, who was appointed Director General of the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC); Maj.-Gen. GM Mutkut, appointed Force Commander of the Headquarters Multi-National Joint Task Force Njamena; and Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, appointed Director of Media Operations at Defence Headquarters.
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POPULAR 16-YEAR-OLD WHO HALTED PETER OBI CAMPAIGN CONVOY UNJUSTLY DETAINED FOR 4 MONTHS OVER ARMED ROBBERY CHARGES
A 16-year-old teenager, Alabi Quadri, has been remanded at the Minimum Security Custodial Centre in Kirikiri, Lagos, for four months over alleged armed robbery charges. Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong revealed this in a statement, claiming Quadri is a victim of Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
According to Effiong, Quadri’s troubles began when he stood in front of Peter Obi’s presidential convoy during the 2023 electioneering campaign and received a gift. Some self-acclaimed area boys demanded a share of the gift, and when Quadri refused, they abducted him and dragged him to the Amukoko Police Station.
The police initially accused Quadri of being involved in street fights but later charged him with armed robbery alongside four other individuals. The alleged offense involved stealing N579,000 and four mobile phones. Effiong spent two hours interviewing Quadri and believes the teenager is innocent.
“The last point that we want to state on the record is that Alabi is a minor. He is less than 18 years,” Effiong stated. Quadri has appeared before the Magistrate three times, and the court has remanded him pending legal advice from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions.
Effiong vowed to do everything possible to secure Quadri’s freedom, saying, “We shall provide additional information and the available legal options subsequently. Suffice it to say that we will do all that is legally permissible to secure Alabi’s freedom.”
A State High Court in Port Harcourt has granted an order preventing the Sole Administrator from resuming his duties in Rivers State pending the determination of the substantive suit. The suit, filed by Hon. Edison Ogaranya, former Chief of Staff to the immediate past governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Similaye Fubara, challenges the presidential pronouncement of a state of emergency in Rivers State, arguing that it is unconstitutional.
Justice Danagogo, in his wisdom, granted the prayers of Ogaranya and urged all parties to maintain the status quo. This development is a significant setback for the Sole Administrator, who was appointed to take charge of the affairs of the state following the declaration of a state of emergency.
Ogaranya’s suit is seen as a test of the constitutionality of the presidential pronouncement, and the court’s decision is being closely watched by legal experts and political analysts. The case is expected to have far-reaching implications for the governance of Rivers State and the limits of presidential power.
Many feared dead and multiple vehicles have been torched in an inferno that occurred following the explosion of a tanker carrying Compressed Natural Gas alleged to belong to Dangote group.
The tragic incident that happened on the Kugbo-Karu bridge axis off of Abuja-Nassarawa express way, has left the area in a massive gridlock as vehicular movement have been largely affected.
According to updates as the incident unfolds, as at the time of publishing this, for over 2 hours, there is yet to be any official first responder, law enforcement, emergency services etc.
Videos show casualties including vehicles and wounded humans.
See video below.
This story is developing and CTN is following it up. Updates as event unfolds.